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Sunday, December 02, 2007

Muslims Seek Reconciliation, Peace with Christians

One hundred and thirty eight Muslim scholars and clerics recently released an open letter to Christians looking for common ground and peace between the two religions. This comes at an interesting time as President Bush is meeting with leaders in the Middle East to also find peace. He joins the ranks of several presidents who have tried.

The letter titled, "A Common Word Between Us and You” look to the similarities between Christianity and Islam in order to reconcile, heal and find a path together. An abridged version is available here. Here is an excerpt:

“Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world’s population. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians.

“The basis for this peace and understanding already exists. It is part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the One God, and love of the neighbour. These principles are found over and over again in the sacred texts of Islam and Christianity. The Unity of God, the necessity of love for Him, and the necessity of love of the neighbour is thus the common ground between Islam and Christianity.”

The letter goes on to quote both the Qur’an and the Bible. Despite what some Americans see as a religion of hate, these Muslims feel that the Qur’an demands they find peace.

“Thus in obedience to the Holy Qur’an, we as Muslims invite Christians to come together with us on the basis of what is common to us, which is also what is most essential to our faith and practice: the Two Commandments of love.”

This is just what the Christian world needs right now. It is important that Americans see moderate Muslims speaking out against hatred and seeking ways to live together in harmony. I am thankful that this message is being presented. I hope that members of the mainstream media will pick up on this positive piece of news and help alleviate the misconception that all Muslims hate Americans.

2 comments:

Anonymous
said...

"Thus despite their differences, Islam and Christianity not only share the same Divine Origin and the same Abrahamic heritage, but the same two greatest commandments." A major issue that is apparently not worth considering to be part of the reconciliation and that is the Jewish Nation who has far more in common through the blood line of the Abrahamic Heritage. Love God, I am OK with that one; however, Love your fellow man I am OK with that one too. That is an issue that will be extremely hard to resolve. Granted at one time or even currently in some small isolated circumstances Christianity was not the best at treatment of those outside of the Faith; however, we have made great strides trying to improve. If there are those who treat others wrong, there is an attempt to rebuke, educate and correct those wrongs. If only those of the Islamic faith were more vociferous in the condemnation of their own. (Maybe they are held hostage to the same fear of the reprisal of the more extreme sects of their own - not unlike the Jesuits of old). Seldom do you hear of the Muslims, moderate or not, speak of the stonings, amputations, blood killings, mistreatment of our God given helpmates - women, intolerance of other religions, decapitations of Buddhists, 200 lashes for being raped in someone's car, 40 lashes and/ or jail for naming a Teddy Bear after a child in class (Does Allah not have a sense of humor - suffer not the little children . . .) and any other evil concoction of blood lust in the name of Religion. Those not informed of the Quran have only the raving chatter of those who wish to suppress all religions through nano-incremental modifications until we wake up one day to a major catastrophe that can not be reversed -their quest for world domination by sharia law. Their demands are at times incredible. Turning prison toilets away so that they are not facing Mecca, turning hospital beds to face Mecca -requests to possibly be honored but not demanded, foot washing basins in public places at public prices. Read the Quran and you will discover in two places that it states what to do when water is not available. Remember that they live in some of the most arid land of the world. Allah knows that water is at a premium price and should not be made unsuitable for drinking. Twice he states that it is allowable for Muslims to clean their feet with clean dirt. Carry a bag of kitty litter and a plastic container. When they clean their own house first then I believe there will be room for dialoq. All religions need to genuinely listen, consider others viewpoints, be willing to give in the name of peace and understanding for without that this will be for little purpose only bragging rights to say I tried but they are the one to drop the ball. I am without fault; therefore I can be the one to throw the first stone. OOOPs stoning is an Old Testament punishment that is no longer practiced by Israel. Religion should be the foundation for Human Rights and until that improves in anybody's court then I believe there will be little room for any substantive communication. I love my brothers: i.e. Muslim, Christian, Jew and other faiths. All I ask is to receive the same in return.